Prince Harry and his family are reportedly planning to spend Christmas in the United States. The reported plans could come as a relief to Prince William and Kate Middleton. Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes the decision could spare the estranged brothers an awkward reunion.
Prince William will be ‘relieved’ to hear Prince Harry’s Christmas plans in the US, former royal butler claims
Harrold served King Charles at Highgrove from 2004 to 2011. He told the Daily Express that William and Kate would likely welcome the Sussexes’ reported Christmas plans.
“I think Prince William and Catherine will be relieved that Harry and Meghan are reportedly going back to the US for Christmas,” Harrold said. He also described the situation behind the scenes as “extremely tense.”
He suggested that a “forced reunion” between the brothers could have made tensions worse. According to Harrold, the ongoing rift has made it difficult for the royal family to present a united front. A festive reunion may have placed even more pressure on the relationship.
“It’s still too early to be playing happy families; there is a lot of upset behind the scenes,” the former butler told the publication. He also claimed that Harry and Meghan spending Christmas alone would have reflected poorly on the royal family.
“Harry and Meghan have taken this decision out of his hands, and I think he will be grateful,” Harrold said. However, he expressed hope that relations between the brothers might improve next year.
The speculation comes amid reports that Harry and William have yet to reconcile following Harry and Meghan’s return to the U.K. Despite the Sussexes’ reported return to Britain, Harry and William have yet to meet or publicly confirm any progress toward reconciliation. The reasons behind Harry and Meghan’s reported return to Britain have also attracted speculation.
Tensions between the brothers became increasingly public after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to California.
